Scottish Environment LINK

Regulatory Reform (Scotland) Bill - Stage 1 LINK Written Evidence to Rural Affairs, Climate Change and Environment Committee

Tue, 21 May 2013 12:00:00 +0000

We suport the need for effective, targeted and transparent regulation for the benefit of Scotland. We strongly oppose the introduction of a duty on regulators to contribute to achieving 'sustainable economic growth' - the duty should refer instead to 'sustainable development'.

Letter to the Cabinet Secretary Richard Lochhead 2 May 2013

Thu, 16 May 2013 12:00:00 +0000

Summarising key points discussed at a meeting on the future of the CAP in Scotland.

Joint Letter from stakeholders on the Scottish MPA process to Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment Richard Lochhead MSP

Tue, 14 May 2013 12:00:00 +0000

A letter highlighting support for clarity during the summer 2013 consultation on proposals for a Scottish network of Marine Protection Areas as sent to the Cabinet Secretary for Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment by eight organisations (Association of Salmon Fishery Boards, Community of Arran Seabed Trust, Oil & Gas UK, Royal Yachting Association of Scotland, Scottish Creel Fishermen\'s Federation, Scottish Environment LINK, Scottish Fishermen\'s Federation, Sustainable Inshore Fisheries Trust).

Freshwater Pearl Mussel Parliamentary Briefing for Member's Debate S4M-06401

Wed, 08 May 2013 12:00:00 +0000

This is a Parliamentary Briefing from the RSPB for Mary Scanlon MSP's Member's Debate S4M-06401 on the Freshwater Pearl Mussel. Mary Scanlon MSP is the Species Champion for the Freshwater Pearl Mussel.

Parliamentary Briefing on Freshwater Pearl Mussel for Member's Debate S4M-06401

Wed, 08 May 2013 12:00:00 +0000

This Parliamentary Briefing from Buglife is for Mary Scanlon MSP's Member's Debate S4M-06401 on the Freshwater Pearl Mussel. Mary Scanlon MSP is the Species Champion for the Freshwater Pearl Mussel which is one of the most critically endangered molluscs in the world.

Scottish Environment LINK submission to the Land Reform Review Group

Thu, 02 May 2013 12:00:00 +0000

The Land Reform Review Group (LRRG) has been appointed by the Scottish Government to identify how land reform might be developed and delivered in Scotland. LINK welcomes the opportunity to contribute to this debate. We have only a limited mandate to offer comments on the economic and social aspects of land reform, but we hope that we might offer a significant perspective with regard to some of these concerns and, in particular, to environmental concerns.
In this submission we seek to:
Outline our broad views on land ownership, the definition of communities, the responsibility of stewardship and sustainable development;
Comment briefly on, and respond, to the points in the remit of the LRRG; and finally
Summarise our aspirations for public policy governing the relationship between the land and the people of Scotland.

Evidence for Scotland's Land Reform Policy Review (2012-2014)

Thu, 02 May 2013 12:00:00 +0000

The socioeconomic benefits of the ownership and management of land by eNGOs.

Letter to the Environment Minister 14 March 2013

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 12:00:00 +0000

Explaining the LINK position on chemical and biological control of emerging infectious diseases, pathogens and pests affecting trees.

Environmental Groups broadly welcome Government's Planning Blueprints

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 12:00:00 +0000

Media release by LINK Planning Taskforce

Triennial Review of the Joint Nature Conservation Committee - A joint response from WCL, SEL, WEL and NIEL

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 12:00:00 +0000

A joint response from Wildlife and Countryside Link (WCL), Scottish Environment LINK (SEL), Wales Environment LINK (WEL) and Northern Ireland Environment LINK (NIEL) which welcomes the opportunity to provide comments on the Triennial Review of the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC). We see the review as an opportunity to improve the delivery of nature conservation objectives in both the UK and overseas. However we are disappointed at the short timescale available for comment on this review.

Triennial review of the Joint Nature Conservation Committee: Response from Scottish Environment LINK

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 12:00:00 +0000

This response is supported by the undersigned members of the Wildlife Forum and the Marine Taskforce.

Marine report tells cautionary tale for Scottish Government

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 12:00:00 +0000

A parliamentary report highlighting a chronic “lack of clarity” with English marine protection plans sends a strong signal to the Scottish Government about its proposals for a marine protected area network to safeguard Scotland’s marine biodiversity.

LINK welcomes RACCE report on Scotland's Biodiversity Strategy

Tue, 19 Mar 2013 12:00:00 +0000

LINK Wildlife Forum's briefing and press release on the publication of Challenge 2020, the report from the Scottish Parliament's Rural Affairs & Climate Change & Environment Committee on Scotland's Biodiversity Strategy.

Countdown for the Countryside - 5 Days left to urge MEPs to vote for nature-friendly farming

Fri, 08 Mar 2013 12:00:00 +0000

A group of eleven wildlife organisations have come together through the Joint LINKs group to urge everyone to press their MEPs to vote for farming that supports nature in one of the most significant votes ever held in the European Parliament.

LINK Newsletter Spring 2013

Thu, 07 Mar 2013 12:00:00 +0000

Update on LINK recent action and plans, including CAP campaign, Marine, Species Champions, Congress, Scottish Environment Week. Guest articles on the Wild Land Campaign, Ash dieback, the Cairngorms legal appeal and more.

'A fish fight could be avoided in Scotland' say campaigners

Tue, 05 Mar 2013 12:00:00 +0000

A campaign like Hugh's Fish Fight can be avoided in Scotland if Scottish Ministers keep their commitment to strong implementation of the Marine Act, says members of Scottish Environment LINK

Unloved species desperate for a date

Thu, 14 Feb 2013 12:00:00 +0000

Threatened and endangered wildlife in Scotland are looking for Parliamentary affection this Valentine’s Day. 93 species have been selected by Scottish Environment LINK’s Wildlife Forum as being in particular need of some political tender loving care, due to a range of pressures such as habitat fragmentation, climate change and pollution. The resulting list is part of its Species Champion initiative, which aims to pair up MSPs with these unloved species. So far 23 MSPs have committed to the initiative, but this leaves 60 species still desperately in need of such a relationship, according to the organisers.

LINK Parliamentary Briefing on Report on Proposals and Policies 2 (RPP2)

Tue, 05 Feb 2013 12:00:00 +0000

LINK call on MSPs to ensure that the RPP2 package of measures ensures that we meet all our future climate targets and that early action is taken to avoid impact on the natural environment. LINK recommends that the RPP2 be improved to ensure: Proposals are upgraded to the level of Policy and implemented early; Protection of marine environments; Specific improvements in the land use sector.

Environmental groups welcome step towards recovery of Scotland's seas

Thu, 31 Jan 2013 12:00:00 +0000

Plans announced today for 33 nature conservation Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) have been welcomed by a coalition of Scotland's environmental groups as an important step towards the much-needed recovery of Scotland's seas.

Plea for 'species champions' in Scottish Parliament

Fri, 25 Jan 2013 12:00:00 +0000

Environmental groups are calling upon MSPs to lend their political support for protection of the country's threatened wildlife by becoming 'Species Champions'

A Landfill Tax for Scotland consultation response

Mon, 21 Jan 2013 12:00:00 +0000

Response to the Scottish Government consulation from LINK.

LINK Parliamentary Briefing for the Scottish Parliamentary Debate on Biodiversity 17.01.2013

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 12:00:00 +0000

The problem with biodiversity as LINK sees it, is that biodiversity has no champions in the Scottish Government. As a result, other efforts to conserve and enhance biodiversity by policies outside of \'mainstream\' conservation action are weak and under-resourced.

LINK Consultation Response on Proposals for Future Funding Arrangements for SEPA

Wed, 09 Jan 2013 12:00:00 +0000

LINK welcomes the opportunity to comment on the propsals for SEPA's future funding arrangements. We are generally supportive of steps that are being taken to intergrate regulation to make it more resource-efficient and we recognise that the funding regime will be adapted to take this forward.

Briefing on Biodiversity for the Environment Minister November 2012

Wed, 19 Dec 2012 12:00:00 +0000

Proposed priorities for action for inclusion in the review of the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy and for completion by 2020.

Scottish hill tracks still out of control

Mon, 17 Dec 2012 12:00:00 +0000

LINK press release reacting to Scottish Government's announcement not to remove permitted development rights for agriculture and forestry tracks, 17 December 2012.